*/
Wi-fi justice, a Family court revolution and Fee-charging Friends...
Wi-fi justice
All criminal courts will be able to operate completely digitally by July 2016, according to Criminal Justice Minister Damian Green. The new “digital business model” was unveiled in April at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, the first to receive the wi-fi upgrade under new funding of £75m a year, in addition to £44m already budgeted for new IT programmes.
Family court revolution
April saw in the new combined family courts, 26-week time frames for children in care cases and compulsory mediation awareness. Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division, said it marked “the largest reform of the family justice system any of us will see in our professional lifetimes... truly a cultural revolution.”
Fee-charging Friends
Fee-charging McKenzie Friends should be recognised as a “legitimate feature of the evolving legal services market”, according to the Legal Services Consumer Panel. Its study identified the growing market following the LASPO changes, with some providing legal advice and seeking right of audience in an individual case. Despite some evidence about poor courtroom and commercial practices, the Panel concluded that the access to justice benefits outweighed the risks and called on the sector “to develop a credible system of self-regulation to earn greater trust from judges, the legal profession and the general public alike”.
Wi-fi justice
All criminal courts will be able to operate completely digitally by July 2016, according to Criminal Justice Minister Damian Green. The new “digital business model” was unveiled in April at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, the first to receive the wi-fi upgrade under new funding of £75m a year, in addition to £44m already budgeted for new IT programmes.
Family court revolution
April saw in the new combined family courts, 26-week time frames for children in care cases and compulsory mediation awareness. Sir James Munby, President of the Family Division, said it marked “the largest reform of the family justice system any of us will see in our professional lifetimes... truly a cultural revolution.”
Fee-charging Friends
Fee-charging McKenzie Friends should be recognised as a “legitimate feature of the evolving legal services market”, according to the Legal Services Consumer Panel. Its study identified the growing market following the LASPO changes, with some providing legal advice and seeking right of audience in an individual case. Despite some evidence about poor courtroom and commercial practices, the Panel concluded that the access to justice benefits outweighed the risks and called on the sector “to develop a credible system of self-regulation to earn greater trust from judges, the legal profession and the general public alike”.
Wi-fi justice, a Family court revolution and Fee-charging Friends...
The beginning of the legal year offers the opportunity for a renewed commitment to justice and the rule of law both at home and abroad
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management sets out the key steps to your dream property
A centre of excellence for youth justice, the Youth Justice Legal Centre provides specialist training, an advice line and a membership programme
By Kem Kemal of Henry Dannell
By Ashley Friday of AlphaBiolabs
Providing bespoke mortgage and protection solutions for barristers
Joanna Hardy-Susskind speaks to those walking away from the criminal Bar
From a traumatic formative education to exceptional criminal silk – Laurie-Anne Power KC talks about her path to the Bar, pursuit of equality and speaking out against discrimination (not just during Black History Month)
Yasmin Ilhan explains the Law Commission’s proposals for a quicker, easier and more effective contempt of court regime
Irresponsible use of AI can lead to serious and embarrassing consequences. Sam Thomas briefs barristers on the five key risks and how to avoid them
James Onalaja concludes his two-part opinion series
